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Third term’s opening day for students was as dramatic as the teacher’s staff meeting. After Okonkwo and the ‘Pentagons’ idea of teaching very early in the morning and during lunch hour was shot down, Okonkwo resorted to threats.
“You have all signed performance contracts; your results and my recommendations will greatly affect your upward career mobility,” he said, staring straight at Aeneas. “Those who haven’t completed form four syllabus must do so within three weeks. I don’t care even if you teach on Sundays,” he concluded.
The next item on the agenda was strategizing on how to receive students and ensure discipline in the third term. During the closing staff meeting, it was resolved that CCTV cameras be installed in the school.
Aeneas, while waving the minutes of that meeting, wanted to know why that resolution hadn’t been implemented. “Colleagues, buying equipment for an institution is not as easy as ordering for a drink at JJ’s; there are procedures to be followed. Please acquaint yourselves with the Public Procurement Act before you start throwing tantrums in staff meetings,” Okonkwo observed crossly.
The debate on the installation of CCTV cameras had divided the staff down the middle. Wa Makeri who had proposed the idea initially got overwhelming backing. While all were in agreement that they should be installed in the corridors, dormitories, and the administration block, a group led by Aeneas objected to having the secret eye installed in the staffroom.
Thunder’s worry was whether they would also be installed in the staff washrooms. Meta Meta is a strictly no-smoking zone and there are suspicions some members of staff indulge in a puff in the staff washrooms. Okonkwo could not entertain Magarita’s insistence that the students needed to be counselled on the implications of such a move.
“This counselling thing has led to increased cases of drug abuse and indiscipline. When the cane was used to instil discipline, there were no cases of burnt dormitories. I even can’t remember seeing a single fire extinguisher in the schools I attended,” he dismissively observed.
“We will physically go through the students’ stuff with a tooth comb,” he declared. I was shocked to hear him announce that I would be on duty that week with Donatta. Being on duty with Donatta meant working alone.
She has a way of parting company with her house helps during the holidays. This wasn’t an exception. She couldn’t report to school early or leave late since she has to manage the robust twins. She had even come with them to the opening staff meeting. The boys spend most of the time fighting over her phone, forcing Okonkwo to remind her that the meeting was only meant for the teaching staff and not their families.
We were halfway through with checking the students’ luggage when I heard Magarita scream. “Do you want to strike me blind?” before dropping a boy’s wallet as if it was a package of Ebola. Launching on a prayer, she cursed and bound the devil who has been keen on turning Meta Meta to Sodom and Gomorrah. “Let me get anointing oil,” she exclaimed and dashed towards her office at a speed that made nonsense of her advanced years. Aeneas picking the wallet removed some condoms. “What are these for young man?” asked Okonkwo.
“They are for a biology practical sir,” the boy mischievously answered. Okonkwo ordered the boy to wait for him outside his office.
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